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Thread: Smith Carbine Bullet Sizing Diameter Question

  1. #1
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    Smith Carbine Bullet Sizing Diameter Question

    What diameter has original Smith shooters been sizing their bullets to? The bullets I cast come out of the mold .518. I am going to try sizing to groove diameter in an attempt to increase accuracy over what I am getting now that is unacceptable IMHO. I want my groups to be at or smaller than a clay target. I am too lazy to slug the bore, that is why I am asking first. If it comes down to it, I will slug the bore. Thanks in advance.

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    Carolina Reb is offline
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    0.518" usually shoots well, but you should slug the bore. Smiths were made by 2 different contractors and groove diameters do vary. Try 30 grains of Swiss 1 1/2 F and .5cc of your favorite filler. Before you go nuts with loads...

    Is the hinge tight?
    Is the top strap lockup tight?
    Is the buttstock tight?
    If it's not, is the bottom buttplate screw loose?
    If that's tight and the buttstock is still loose, you need to bed the buttstock, or shorten the screw, or cut another thread on the screw,
    Is the nipple burned out?
    Is the frame flash hole burned out?
    Is the muzzle nicked or damaged?

    If all these are OK, then start working up loads.

    Smiths will shoot very well even with a really nasty bore, as long as they do not have any of the above problems.

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    Well, as long as your bullet is LARGER than the bite of the barrel, it will 'size' itself since it's a breechloader.

    If anything, the bullet could be too small, not big.

    What powder load are you using?

    Open sights? How's the eyes?
    Mike 'Bootsie' Bodner
    Palmetto Sharpshooter's, Commander
    9996V

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    My load workup exercise with my Pietta Smith and Eras Gone Smith bullet:

    https://www.n-ssa.net/vbforum/showth...-Smith-Carbine

    Steve
    Steve Sheldon
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    4th Louisiana Delta Rifles
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    I shoot a .518" diameter bullet in my original Smith.
    Mike Santarelli 03635V, Adjutant
    Member since 1979
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    National Inspector General
    Small Arms Committee

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    Lou Lou Lou is online now
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    Before it was relined, I shot a .520 in my original Smith
    Lou Lou Lou Ruggiero
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    singleshot is offline
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    Smith Bullet

    518 is what I shoot in my Smith after a reline.

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    CAGerringer is offline
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    Quote Originally Posted by Maillemaker View Post
    My load workup exercise with my Pietta Smith and Eras Gone Smith bullet:

    https://www.n-ssa.net/vbforum/showth...-Smith-Carbine

    Steve
    Steve,
    I just this week did a work-up with my Fire-lapped Pietta Smith.
    I got the same results as you. The best load with a Lee .515 sized bullet was 32 grns of Goex 3F. All shot from a Lead-sled rest.
    Attached is a cardboard skeet target, shot off-hand at 50 yds., with my last 5 rounds.
    The thing is...I've never shot this carbine that well!!! That fire-lapping WORKS!!!

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    Charlie Gerringer
    Old Dominion Dragoons

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    Quote Originally Posted by Carolina Reb View Post
    0.518" usually shoots well, but you should slug the bore. Smiths were made by 2 different contractors and groove diameters do vary. Try 30 grains of Swiss 1 1/2 F and .5cc of your favorite filler. Before you go nuts with loads...

    >I plan on slugging.

    Is the hinge tight?
    Is the top strap lockup tight?
    Is the buttstock tight?

    >yes to all

    If it's not, is the bottom buttplate screw loose?
    If that's tight and the buttstock is still loose, you need to bed the buttstock, or shorten the screw, or cut another thread on the screw,
    Is the nipple burned out?
    Is the frame flash hole burned out?
    Is the muzzle nicked or damaged?

    >no to all

    If all these are OK, then start working up loads.

    Smiths will shoot very well even with a really nasty bore, as long as they do not have any of the above problems.
    >the bore on mine is like a mirror.

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    Quote Originally Posted by Michael Bodner View Post
    Well, as long as your bullet is LARGER than the bite of the barrel, it will 'size' itself since it's a breechloader.

    If anything, the bullet could be too small, not big.

    >I do not think so, but will check.

    What powder load are you using?

    >36 grains of 3Fg.

    Open sights? How's the eyes?
    >Open sights. I am 55 years old and can still focus on the front sight.

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